THE TRAIL: A hunger for politics in mid-Missouri

Caleb Rowden, Republican candidate for 44th district state representative race, glances at cameraman Justin Anderson during the production of a television commercial for Rowden, a portion of which was filmed around the dinner table in Bill and Norma Watts' home Oct. 2 in Columbia. "If I was talking to senior citizens, that's probably where I'd be," Rowden said referring to the dining room-turned-studio, complete with a plate of cookies and coffee. It was one of several locations filmed in an attempt to reflect the 44th District. The Wattses have been friends and neighbors of the Rowden family for about 25 years and volunteered their home and time for the video shoot.¦Emma Kessinger

BY
Missourian staff

This election season, the Missourian has sent photojournalists to capture images of the campaigns and gain insight on election issues in ways that might seem unexpected. The Trail is an occasional photo series that will show you the scenes from campaign events in mid-Missouri.

A tub full of water bottles covered in Ken Jacob stickers sits in the Elkin Shelter at the Hallsville Fairgrounds during a hog roast event. Jacob, who served in the Missouri House of Representatives from 1983 to 1996, is the Democratic candidate for state representative in the 44th District. Jacob’s son, mother, sister and nephew also attended the event to show their support Sept. 25. (Photo: Connie McCollom/Missourian)

Pies, cookies and cakes sit on the two dessert tables at the Boone County Republicans' Fall BBQ at the Columbia Knights of Columbus on Sept. 28. The event cost $15 per plate and included Buckingham Smokehouse BBQ and a choice of dessert. (Photo: Kile Brewer/Missourian)

Caleb Jones, left, unopposed as a candidate for representative from the 50th District, talks with fellow California, Mo., residents Mike Katschman and Darrel King on Oct. 3 at Burgher Haus Restaurant in California. Burgher Haus is located near downtown California on West Buchanan Street and is a place where residents drink coffee, catch up on area news and eat breakfast. Jones ate a breakfast sandwich while others drank only coffee. People who gather at Burgher Haus in the morning are businessmen and professionals in town, including car dealership owners, county officials and retired MU professors. The morning's discussion consisted of local news, Missouri football's performance in the Southeastern Conference, and the Ozark Ham and Turkey Festival held in California in September. (Photo: Stuart Palley/Missourian)

MU student Clare Stribling props her feet while watching the first presidential debate at the Mizzou College Democrats debate watch party Oct. 3 at the Ashwood Apartments. About 20 MU students showed up that night to watch the debate. Tom Wright, the vice president of the group, thinks that Mitt Romney came out on the offense, which helped him win the first presidential debate. "I hope President Obama will change up his strategy for the next one," he said. Wright, Zach Henry, the president of the group, and Dan Stribling, the outreach director, live in that apartment. The Mizzou College Democrats runs many political functions there, such as phone banking, watch parties and general meetings. (Photo: Xiaojie Ouyang/Missourian)